Stacey L.L. Couch's Blog, page 10

Spirit Animals: DIVINE DOVE

What does dove mean?

The term “dove” actually refers to a whole family of birds that includes both doves and pigeons. There are many species of doves of a variety shades of brown, gray, rose and slate blue. Dove species include mourning doves,rock pigeons, Eurasian collared doves, white winged doves, and band-tailed pigeons. One of the well known species extinctions caused by man was that of the passenger pigeon. Hunting and habitat destruction by European settlers wiped out some 3 to 5 billi...

The Seriousness of Solitude

I was brought to tears this morning by the most surprising of lines in a book:

“I see more and more that solitude is not something to play with. It is deadly serious. And much as I have wanted it, I have not been serious enough. It is not enough to ‘like solitude,’ or love it even. Even if you ‘like’ it, it can wreck you, I believe, if you desire it for your own sake.” – Thomas Merton in A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals

This is one truth I have endeavored to expr...

Archetypes: THE SEEKER

It is no surprise that the seeker archetype is one of the most difficultto define. Pinning down this roving iconbecomeseven more complicated the longer one spends following her this way and that like the seed of a dandelion cast on the wind.

The Seeker Archetype Searchesfor Truth

The seeker archetype is looking for athing, a feeling, a knowing, an experience called truth. This is not truth with a lowercase t mind you, but Truth with a capital T. Concretephysical facts or realities that satisf...

Do Shamanism Beliefs and Other Religious Beliefs Mix?

Shamanism as a Container

Unlike organized religions that tell you exactly what to believe, precisely when to worship, and literally how to talk to God, the practice of shamanism does not fill our worlds with things to do and think.

I like to use the metaphor of a container, be it a bowl, vase, or basket, that holds our beliefs. Shamanism is that bowl. It is our hands cupped and open, ready to receive whatever we choose to fill them with. This reality is refreshing for many people who are look...

Spirit Animals: BAT BRAVERY

The vast majority of people are frightened, if at the very least trepidatious, when encountering bats. For some, the mere mention of a bat sends them into a panicConservationists have been working for decades to dispel the terrifying myths about bats and to bring humans into a greater appreciation of these flying mammals. Bats work wonders for an ecosystem keeping dangerous crop pest insects in check and producing great agricultural fertilizer in the form of guano. Still, despite the best pub...

Archetypes: THE HERO

The hero archetype is one of the most recognizable archetypes in literature, film, television and video games. It seems that any compelling story has a hero of some flavor thatis easy to name.

Here aretwenty real-life and fictional hero archetype examples: Superman, King Arthur, Joan of Arc, Luke Skywalker, Rocky, Hercules, Spiderman, Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Wolverine, Katniss Everdeen(The Hunger Games), Neo (The Matrix), Rosa Parks, Frodo, Daniel LaRusso (Karate Kid), William Wallace (Br...

Spirit Animals: SECURE SQUIRREL

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae and are characterized by slender bodies, longer back legs, and a long,expressivebushy tail. The name squirrel is derived from the Ancient Greek world skiouros meaning “shadow-tailed”. There are over 265 species of squirrel worldwide, with the Eastern Gray Squirrel being the most commonly seen mammal in the United States. The family of squirrels includes not only tree squirrels but also ground squirrels, flying squirrels and chipmunks.

Squirrel Mea...

Is Shamanism a Religion?

Shamanism isexperiencing a great resurgence. The prevalence of shamans is on the rise. And, as everyone figures out how to pronounce shaman and shamanism (the first “a” is soft, like an “ah”), there are invented terms arising out of the confusion, “shamanistic” being the primary creation.

Given that many people are still getting comfortable using the words, it is no surprise that few knowhow to categorize shamanism. The question of “is shamanism a religion?” is a reasonable inquiry. Very stri...

How To: Autumnal Equinox Celebration

The autumnal equinox (otherwise known as the “first day of fall”) is a turning point in the seasons when the sun reaches its zenith over the celestial equator. Or, more plainly, it comes to the midpoint in its journey from north to south. On an equinox, both the northern and southern hemispheres are equally illuminated.

From the Latin word meaning equal (equi) night (-nox), the day of the equinox is a time when there is an equal amount ofnighttime to daytime. In recent times, the autumnal equ...

10th Anniversary: Remembering Graccia the Red-Tailed Hawk

Since the red-tailed hawk Graccia’s passing on September 17, 2005, I have noticed the coming and going of this date. It always causes me to stop and look at what is moving in my life. I am reminded to find meaning in the now like I did on that day.

On the 10th anniversary of her crossing over, the date has astrological significance. Mercury is going retrograde. This means a time for reflection is coming upon us. We’ll be challenged to look at our lives symbolically and turn inwardsfor a time...